The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-05-06
A LOUISVILLE MOB.

A LOUISVILLE MOB.
The City of Louisville Excited over the
Jennie bowman N Notwithstanding ofthe
Murderers Only Prevented by the Mill
tary and Police.
LOUISVILLE, KY, April 3O-Every thing
was quiet about the Jail yesterday MORN
ing, though the talk was that another and
more determined effort would be made to.
lynch the negroes ut night. The rumors
that Miss Jennie Bowman had died Of her
injuries in circulation tended to revive the
excitement over the outrage, and toward
evening crowds began to collect on the-
streets in the vicinity Of the Jail, until by
ten O'Clock several Thousand men and boys,
were in the neighborhood. Later another
crowd assembled. probably 500 strong, and
marched down Jefferson street, steadily and
silently, until near the corner of Sixth and
Jefferson streets, where they were met by
one hundred police, who rushed out of Q,
hall where they were biv0uacked. The
crowd moved on in q determined manner
that seemed likely to force the police aside,
but the latter stood firm, and for time.
there was pellmell, hand-tO-hand fight,
which resulted in several broken heads and
arrests. The leaders were soon taken and
rushed on to a station house, and the crowd
gave way and took to their heels and in q,
moment were in full flight The police,
after pursuing them short distance, re-
turned and formed a line across the street.
where they remained On guard.
The answer of the Governor to q call for
aid from the militia was received at II :I5.
O'Clock yesterday morning, and several
companies were ordered to guard the Jail
Despite this, however, at 1925 p M. the,
agreed signal of eleven taps by the fire.
| department bells in case of an attack upon
the Jail was rung, as great crowds of peO--
pie were pressing toward the Jail, around
which the militia were stationed, and the
police and a mob were fighting.
| BY 1874 p m. about 5000 people were as
sembled on the Jail square. and Jefferson
street was the scene of great confusion,
people rushing toward the Jail from all
| points, but no serious collision had occurred
and it was not expected that any would at
present. as the crowd was forming out of
| curiosity. Later, however, it was reported
that the alarm was the usual call to notify
the members Of the legion when they were
expected to report for duty at the armory.
The people misunderstood the alarm. The
crowd then dispersed and no more trouble
was feared. Late in the afternoon the
mayor issued the following proclamation:
MAYOH's OFFICE LOUIsvIILE, KY, April 80
TO the people of Louisville: II is my duty
as mayor to enjoin upon the people the neces-
sity for preserving order and maintaining the
| majesty of the law. \ most diabolical crime
has been committed in our city, but the.
law must infiict the punishment. A riot
is more dangerous TO good government
than any individual criminal. Lynch law
subverts every principle Of law and at
tacks our very civilization. 1, therefore, in
the discharge of my duty, request every citizen
to remain ut home tonight and to avoid all
gatherings. and caution parents not to permit
their children to go in the streets. as their
presence increases the number and adds to the
excitement / must and will discharge my
duty to uphold the law and 10 preserve good
order, and i command al riotous assemblages
TO dispense. y. Is. REED. Mayor.
While the mayor was inditing the above
the first movement looking to an organiza-
tiOn of the exasperated people, who openly
and on all sides advocated lynching, was
being made. In response to a notice which
had been distributed among the thousands
who rushed to the Jail at the alarm at mid
day, given to order the members of the
militia to report for duty, about 500 men
gathered in front of Leidcrkranz hall, on
Market street. The janltOr refused them
admission to the hall and the police were.
endeavoring to disperse them, when DIR.
Berry, well known physician OF the city,
mounted barrel on the sidewalk and adj
dressed them. He said that since the
brutal crime Of Patterson and Turner none
of the women and children feel any secu-
rity, and that while he generally was OPP
posed to mob law, there was nothing to be
done in this case but to lynch the negro.
ficDds. The law had again and again failed
to punish murderers. They had been sent
to the penitentiary when they ought to
have haan hnnc- ia,x hnFanHcI
blood-stained criminals whom they knew to
be guilty. Ii this crime was not atoned
for a chance would be missed to set u ter
rible example to the hundreds of idle,
worthless and thieving negroes who ia
Tested the alleys and siums of the city.
The doctor was cheered at frequent inter
walls. While he was speaking Major Kinney.
a leading criminal lawyer, passed through
the crowd. A number of the men stopped
HIM and then, surrounding him, demanded
in All excited manner why he defended
men whom he knew to be criminals. The
major commenced to explain and expostu--
late. declaring that he had never acted as
attorney for a man whom he believed to be
guilty. He was never more earnest or eio-
Quent in his life, and breathed heavy sigh
OF relief when he slipped out of that throng-
The doctor resumed his remarks and the
the names of about one hundred citizens
whose sentiments were known, and who, it
was believed, would join any organized effort.
to lynch the negroes, were selected.
On Market street crowd of about 100
men were marchingup and down, each with
about a foot of white cotton rope tied to
the arm. In prominent place on the
court house is the illuminated design:
"W anted-5OO men to join this mob" Up
to this writing good order has prevailed
The mob appears to have no leader and ap-
pears TO be only watching out of curiosity
for something to turn up. The police and
militia are determined to defend the JAIL
come what may, and if the attempt Is made
there will be bloOdshed sure.
The soldiers late last night were ordered
from the armory to the Jail, with a Calling
gun. a crowd of fully 10000 people was
surging to and fro ON jefferson street
Many women were seen min2ling with the
crowd. All appeared to be attracted by
only, and the best of order pre-
vailed.
At 2:3O a. m. the crowd about the court
house square dwindled down 10 800 Or 40
people, and they were dispensing gradually.
Three hundred and fifty soldiers with a
Gatling gun and 80 armed policemen
stood guard at the jail. The
meeting agreed upon to take
place at the court house today will
lot be allowed, and there is hardly a doubt.
low that the law will be allowed to take
Is course The girl is almost certain To-
lie, and the evidence is strong enough in
hat case to bring both men to the gal